“A Town Like Alice” opens with the death of an older gentleman in Scotland and his solicitor’s search for any remaining heir. The sole heir is the old man’s niece, Jean, and the widowed solicitor then meets and becomes quite fond of her despite their age difference. He learns that Jean is a very strong and capable young woman, having survived being a prisoner of the Japanese in Malaysia during World War II. The solicitor must administer the trust until Jean is 35 because the aged uncle didn’t believe women capable of running their own financial affairs. He is in constant communication with her as Jean travels back to Malaysia and then on to Australia to repay kindnesses she received during the war. And though he realizes when she leaves London to journey that she’ll never be back, the solicitor maintains a fatherly influence over her and her financial investments.

The story of Jean’s survival during the war was inspiring and gripping; her healing, carrying on, and helping others after the war were even more so. It took a lot of courage to search out the people she wanted to reach and she acted with grace and maturity and wisdom along the way.

The story is sweet, touching, intense, moving, and gave me another glimpse into parts of the world I’d like to visit.